Entrepreneurs, however, feel it’s important to position themselves early, having seen the frenzy that develops in other states that pass MMJ laws. Still, many are hedging their bets by investing only small sums at this point and creating backup plans for their marijuana-related assets. Others are aiming to work with the state’s approved CBD-only industry, which could present business opportunities.

“If November comes and [Amendment 2] fails, I will have bought a website and that is about it,” said lawyer David Kotler, who began working with cannabis clients in January. “People are having to ask themselves what their tolerance for risk is prior to November.”

Here are some strategies entrepreneurs are employing in Florida to prepare for medical marijuana opportunities:

The company hopes to lease the space out to cannabis growers, but it has a Plan B should Amendment 2 fail. Llorn Kylo, the chief executive officer of Cannabis-RX, said he chose the property because it has value to non-cannabis clients, meaning the company can likely find tenants from other industries if MMJ falls through.

“Anything that requires square footage would work here,” Kylo said. “If the asset didn’t make sense from a purely real estate perspective, I would not have taken a chance.”

Kylo said the property could be used as a manufacturing center, a distribution facility or even a mini storage area. He described the property as “a tear-downer” when he purchased it but believes the renovations his company is undertaking will make it attractive to many different types of businesses.

Kylo estimates that a cannabis tenant would pay upwards of $5 a square foot for the property. But based on his projections, even a non-cannabis tenant would pay $3 a square foot to lease the property. At that rate, it would still be profitable for the company.

“We’re a real estate company first and foremost,” he said. “We buy and sell distressed assets because we like the economics of the building.”

Spending cautiously

Many entrepreneurs are investing time and effort in laying the groundwork to start cannabis businesses, while keeping actual cash investments low.

Attorney Kotler said the first wave of entrepreneurs to launch marijuana businesses in Florida were lawyers who bought websites and advertised over social media. The next entrepreneurs to join the industry, he said, were consultants who offered seminars and classes on cultivation.

“You have people that have done some branding around a website or a name,” Kotler said. “There’s a lot of name-parking and web-squatting because it’s a cheap way to enter [the industry].”

A veteran criminal defense attorney, Kotler launched his business, called Medical Marijuana Business Lawyers LLC, in January. He purchased the domain name, built a website and constructed a Facebook page.

Within a week he began receiving calls.

The cannabis clients forced him to take time away from his criminal defense practice to learn about the marijuana industry. He said he traveled to conferences in other states and met with marijuana professionals to learn about the industry.

“I was forced to move a lot quicker than I anticipated,” he said.

Kotler currently works with eight medical marijuana clients, with 10 more “on deck.” He estimates he’s received between 70-80 calls for consulting help.

While he’s put several hundred hours of research and work toward medical marijuana, his spending has been no more than $2,500.

“Lawyers recognize this is a niche area,” he said. “You can make a boutique practice out of it.”

Investing for the long haul

A third group of entrepreneurs in Florida are investing large sums of money in the industry now because they believe interest in cannabis will keep their businesses going even if Amendment 2 fails.

The consultant group Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment Center organizes conferences for marijuana entrepreneurs and currently rents an office space in downtown Miami.

Jan Frel, one of the company’s owners, said his group has invested approximately $400,000 up to this point. So far, it has attracted approximately 200 people to its various seminars, which discuss everything from cultivation to dispensary management.

The seminars cost $500 to attend.

Frel said he believes entrepreneurs will remain interested in cannabis regardless of whether of Amendment 2 passes, because the momentum behind medical marijuana points toward its eventual legalization.

“There will be a need for marijuana business education in the long term in Florida, because we see medical legalization as inevitable,” Frel said. “There are enough people who are curious in the business to sustain us over the long term.”

Should Amendment 2 fail, Frel believes that Florida’s recently-approved CBD bill will create opportunities for his company. The law allows five businesses to grow cannabis, synthesize it into CBD oil and distribute the product.

The entrepreneurs hoping to win one of the five dispensary licenses will require cannabis training, Frel said.

“Even if we just focus on [CBD], we see that as a possibility,” he said. “We can survive on that.”

9 comments on “Florida Entrepreneurs Taking Leap of Faith on MMJ Legalization, but Some Hedging Their Business Bets”

Instead of spending money on speculative leases, machines, etc, these “entrepreneurs” should be donating to NORML of Florida and United For Care to help insure that the bill passes. The opposition is well-funded, thanks to outside special interests who are trying to defeat Amendment 2.

I would agree, and in the process, they may very well have been given a proper overview as who what is, and may take place. It seems as though Florida has established itself as the leader in “lessons to be learned” for those seeking opportunities within the industry. The 5 and 6 figure equipment purchases 6 months prior to decision which will of course carry further revisions prior to implementation. The purchase of properties without simply utilizing a contingency clause. The “rush” to create organizations without a clear cut understanding of the framework they will operate under. With huge oversights on tasks as simple as familiarizing themselves with the proposed rules and regulations and eventual process, and a basic understanding of the various ways in which they may be revised prior to implementation, it is usually the case that those interested in entry find their launch and potential profits of more interest than preliminary research of that which will dictate their activities. Merely adopting a “ready, set, grow” mentality is not sufficient when there is quite the distance between what is proposed and the actual implementation. From a business standpoint, irresponsible; from that of an investor, unwise; and if addressing consumers, unethical.

I must firstly say that spending huge amounts on equipment and property is a huge gamble as the bill is not yet passed, but starting out with a simple website and of course the right domain name is the very best way to test the waters, Don’t forget that a domain name can be registered for 1-10 years so you can secure your brand straight away and build your business around that, Cash outlay will be at a minimal risk factor but at the same time you are still preparing for the bill to be passed. Premium cannabis and marijuana domain names are at a premium price but there are still many good domains to be snatched up in these early stages, if the bill passes then domains will only increase in price.

One more thing getting in on this at an early stage is simply the best advantage and only those who are willing to take a chance and have a gamble will be the ones who will come out on top in the long run

That guy needs to know that the 6 nurseries that were selected have been chosen a Long time ago , and most have No Experience with cannabis much less making it into oil , it’s a Good Ol Boyz network so far let’s hope in Nov we can attain the Freedoms we simple patients are entitled too !

As a 17 year Chronic Pain Patient and an entrepreneur; I am very glad to CBD to become legal and available. I offer CBD in many forms to help with many issues. Part of being an entrepreneur is being first on the scene and to spend the money to make your project ready to be on point from day 1. I have also taken and readied a plan that will cut the cost of a smokers monthly costs by 2/3rd on average. Wanna know more just ask me. This program will help people quit smoking, when they are ready, easier and safe them hundreds of $$dollars$$ until they are ready.